THE STORY OF THE HYMNS AND THEIR WRITERS 371
I fear so many think the accident of our circles of friends. It is no accident. If it be true, " He that receiveth you, receiveth Me, in one sense, it is also in this. God draws nigh in our friend-circles.
Why hast Thou cast our lot
In the same age and place? And why together brought
To see each other s face ?
We are sent to operate on each other and to be operated on ; "diamond cut diamond." For want of this recognition of " God with us " in our friends great harm is done. Temper is allowed to thwart God s intentions, neglect is allowed to run it to waste, insensibility to miss its profoundest lessons ; so life remains a mean and weary thing.
Hymn 693. Jesus, great Shepherd of the sheep.
CHARLES WESLEY (i).
Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749 ; Works, v. 33. Hymns for Believers, No. 24.
Two verses are omitted.
Hymn 694. Try us, O God, and search the ground.
CHARLES WESLEY (i).
Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742; Works, ii. 136. A Prayer for Persons joined in Fellowship. Part I. Hymn 690 is from Part IV. In ver. 5 the original is sinless here below.
Hymn 695. Jesus, soft, harmonious name.
CHARLES WESLEY (i).
Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749; Works, v. 475. For Christian Friends, No. 53.
Ver. 3, See the souls that hang on Thee, is omitted.
Hymn 696. Come, Wisdom, Power, and Grace divine.
CHARLES WESLEY (i).
Hymns for the Use of Families, 1767 ; Works, vii. 43. No. 39.
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